Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program
Monterey County Office of Education, 901 Blanco Cir, Salinas, CA 93901
About
The Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program focuses on early childhood education and comprehensive child and family services. The program honors and reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the community within all aspects of the program and promotes healthy eating and lifestyle principles throughout its programs. It operates with a formal structure of shared governance that includes parent participation in decision-making through the Early Learning Policy Council and the Governing Body.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program serves 732 children ages 3–5 years of age each year in partnership with the Alisal Union, Salinas Union, Santa Rita Union, Pajaro Valley/Hall, North Monterey County, Chualar, Gonzales Unified, Greenfield Unified, and King City Unified school districts. The program states that its goal is to start preparing students with the skills needed for College and Career Readiness and that it is recognized as a leader in research-based early childhood education and family development, providing high-quality, comprehensive, seamless services based on community assessments and the individual needs of families. The program believes that children and families come with unique backgrounds, experiences, and strengths and is committed to working in full participation with families, supporting professional growth and development for all program staff, maximizing the use of program funds, and providing high quality facilities and equipment where children are safe while exploring both teaching and outside environments.
The mission of the Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program, in partnership with the community, is to provide the highest quality early childhood education for children 3–5 years and comprehensive child and family services. The program is committed to ongoing assessment of community needs to guide planning and decision making and believes that services are best provided in a collaborative environment where everyone is committed to meeting the needs of children, families, and staff. In 2018, the California Department of Education granted the Early Learning Program the opportunity to receive State funding to serve children, and in 2019, the program received another award to expand services for part time and full time care for children with a higher income than Head Start's guidelines.
The Early Learning Program operates within the broader history of Head Start in Monterey County, which began in 1965 when the Monterey County Board of Supervisors was awarded funding to start a summer program in Castroville serving approximately 100 children and families. In 1972, the Monterey County Office of Education became the Head Start grantee serving 300 children countywide, and from 1965 to 2009, Monterey County Head Start slots increased from 100 to 1,245, reaching and educating over 30,000 children and families. In 2001, the Early Head Start Program contract was awarded, offering services to 80 children and families from prenatal to three years of age, and in 2018 and 2019 the Early Learning Program received additional state funding and expansion awards.
Head Start programs are required to establish and maintain a formal structure of shared governance through which parents can participate in the decision-making process, and the Early Learning Program follows this structure. The Early Learning Program has a board of one as its Governing Body because the Superintendent of Schools is an elected official. The Early Learning Policy Council membership is comprised of 51% parents of currently enrolled children and includes community representatives, and the Policy Council meets monthly to discuss program business and to make key decisions that affect the program's quality and success. Policy Council and Governing Body members are provided with the opportunity to participate in ongoing training and to attend local and national conferences that enhance their Head Start knowledge and leadership skills.
The leadership team includes Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools; Esmeralda Gomar, Chairperson (Policy Council); Angelica Romo, Vice-Chairperson (Policy Council); and Deisy Rentana-Garcia, Secretary (Policy Council).
Last updated July 3, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program serves 732 children ages 3–5 years of age each year in partnership with the Alisal Union, Salinas Union, Santa Rita Union, Pajaro Valley/Hall, North Monterey County, Chualar, Gonzales Unified, Greenfield Unified, and King City Unified school districts. The program states that its goal is to start preparing students with the skills needed for College and Career Readiness and that it is recognized as a leader in research-based early childhood education and family development, providing high-quality, comprehensive, seamless services based on community assessments and the individual needs of families. The program believes that children and families come with unique backgrounds, experiences, and strengths and is committed to working in full participation with families, supporting professional growth and development for all program staff, maximizing the use of program funds, and providing high quality facilities and equipment where children are safe while exploring both teaching and outside environments.
The mission of the Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program, in partnership with the community, is to provide the highest quality early childhood education for children 3–5 years and comprehensive child and family services. The program is committed to ongoing assessment of community needs to guide planning and decision making and believes that services are best provided in a collaborative environment where everyone is committed to meeting the needs of children, families, and staff. In 2018, the California Department of Education granted the Early Learning Program the opportunity to receive State funding to serve children, and in 2019, the program received another award to expand services for part time and full time care for children with a higher income than Head Start's guidelines.
The Early Learning Program operates within the broader history of Head Start in Monterey County, which began in 1965 when the Monterey County Board of Supervisors was awarded funding to start a summer program in Castroville serving approximately 100 children and families. In 1972, the Monterey County Office of Education became the Head Start grantee serving 300 children countywide, and from 1965 to 2009, Monterey County Head Start slots increased from 100 to 1,245, reaching and educating over 30,000 children and families. In 2001, the Early Head Start Program contract was awarded, offering services to 80 children and families from prenatal to three years of age, and in 2018 and 2019 the Early Learning Program received additional state funding and expansion awards.
Head Start programs are required to establish and maintain a formal structure of shared governance through which parents can participate in the decision-making process, and the Early Learning Program follows this structure. The Early Learning Program has a board of one as its Governing Body because the Superintendent of Schools is an elected official. The Early Learning Policy Council membership is comprised of 51% parents of currently enrolled children and includes community representatives, and the Policy Council meets monthly to discuss program business and to make key decisions that affect the program's quality and success. Policy Council and Governing Body members are provided with the opportunity to participate in ongoing training and to attend local and national conferences that enhance their Head Start knowledge and leadership skills.
The leadership team includes Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools; Esmeralda Gomar, Chairperson (Policy Council); Angelica Romo, Vice-Chairperson (Policy Council); and Deisy Rentana-Garcia, Secretary (Policy Council).
Last updated July 3, 2026.
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